Adderall vs Vyvanse: Difference and Comparison

Such stimulants are also used and prescribed as medications. Two common central nervous system stimulants are Adderall and Vyvanse.

Key Takeaways

1. Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, while Vyvanse contains lisdexamfetamine.
2. Vyvanse provides a longer-lasting, smoother effect, while Adderall has a more rapid onset and shorter duration.
3. Both medications treat ADHD, but Vyvanse is also approved for treating binge eating disorders.

Adderall vs Vyvanse

Adderall is a prescription medication that contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are central nervous system stimulants. Vyvanse is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED).

Adderall is a type of drug. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine help control impulses and hyperactivity as they act as a stimulant to the Central Nervous System and chemically affect the nerves and brain.

While Vyvanse is a type of drug that is composed up of only one amphetamine salt, i.e., lisdexamfetamine, it also helps in controlling impulse and hyperactivity as a stimulant to the CNS.

Comparison Table

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a type of drug. The generic name of the drug is amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. Adderall is consumed for reducing hyperactivity and improving attentivity tenure.

Adderall is a habit-forming drug and is exploited for drug abuse. As Adderall is a stimulant, it can cause heart attack, stroke and even sudden death to an individual with high blood pressure or heart disease.

Individuals having high blood pressure, severe anxiety, glaucoma, vascular disease, overactive thyroid, history of drug addiction and heart or any coronary artery disease should not consume Adderall. Adderall is not approved to be consumed by any individual lower than 3 years of age.

A pregnant woman must prescribe a doctor before consuming this drug, or it may result in stillbirth of the baby, premature birth or lower weight of the newborn baby. Individuals who consume Adderall must consume it first in the morning, with or without food.

What is Vyvanse?

This drug is used to treat “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” (ADHD). The drug also has another active ingredient called lysine. The body absorbs lysine rapidly and actively.

There are certain side effects and safety measures one should take before consuming Vyvanse. The dose of the drug can last about 14 hours.

Overconsumption of this drug can cause psychosis in a person who has a history of bipolar or depression. It may also cause fingernails and toes discolouration.

The most common side effects of Vyvanse include insomnia, very fast heart rate, feeling anxious, loss of appetite, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach ache, vomiting and loss of weight, etc.

Main Differences Between Adderall and Vyvanse

1. The main salts of Adderall are Amphetamine salts, dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine, whereas the main salt of Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine salt.
2. Adderall was legalized in the year 1997, whereas Vyvanse was legalized in the year 2007.

1. https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/pdf/10.1521/capn.2013.18.4.1
2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1087054712468486